Can a power of attorney be revoked by telephone or email?

The revocation of a power of attorney must be done in writing and cannot be accomplished through informal means such as telephone or email. The MPEP 402.05 states:

A power of attorney may not be revoked by a telephone call.

While this quote specifically mentions telephone calls, the same principle applies to emails or other informal communications. To properly revoke a power of attorney, applicants must submit a written revocation document or a new power of attorney that complies with the requirements set forth in MPEP 402. This ensures that the revocation is properly documented and effective in the patent application process.

To learn more:

• power of attorney
• revocation
• communication methods
• patent procedure